Favorite cities in North America, and why.

[Melrose]

Outside of Rocehster, NY, which provided me with happy memories of stopping at Starbucks, grabbing a Latte, and walking down to GuitarCenter for a couple hours or having dinner at Alladin's on Monroe avenue while the sun sets on the street and the evening life resurrects itself, big cities that hold an attraction for me are Seattle and Portland. I love the northwest, and love the culture in Seattle. Portland has good greenspace and public transport and sits a relatively easy drive to Astoria and Cannon Beach. Not much to go on with the latter two. :/

 

[palmerc2]

I'm going to put a plug in for Springdale, Utah. At the entrance of Zion National Park this town has a surprisingly strong art scene, outdoor excursions are minutes away, and Zion National Park is probably the most beautiful place I've ever visited; and I've been a lot of places!

Also worth seeing if you haven't is Newport, Oregon and frankly any of the towns along the Oregon coast. There's just an awesome vibe there, sort of a strange mix between modern alternative/indie and grimy fishing/seafaring. The landscape and scenery is only rivaled by Zion National Park IMO.

I've been to many places on the Oregon Coast.....Astoria, Seaside, Tillamook, Lincoln City, and Newport. You're not gonna believe it, but it was overcast and rainy


A friend of mine who lives in Las Vegas takes trips to Zion National Park sometimes and speaks very highly of it. I also have a family member who lives in St George, UT....perhaps one of these days I'll make it. There's no denying the sheer beauty.....

 

[Happybunny]

Although I have travelled a lot, strange to relate, I have never been to the States; this thread makes me think that it might be time to remedy that.

I can absolutely recommend at least one major vacation to the USA. For most Europeans even if they have never set foot in the US will feel a kind of familiarity because of TV/Movies.
IMO New York is a must see, and New Orleans although after Katrina it’s not quite the same.

Flights are reasonable, and except for NYC hotel rooms are not to expensive. If you are planning a road trip book your auto in the USA it’s cheaper.

The other thing I cannot stress enough is I lived in the US for 18 months (81-83) in White Plains NY, and since that time have visited 10 times on vacation. I have always been struck by just how friendly and helpful Americans are, I can with an clear concience say I have never had a bad experince in all the times I’ve been in the USA.

Plus think of all those Craft Beers you could sample.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I know that the original poster asked about cities and I’m also a real urbanite. But and I in no way want to over stay my welcome on this thread, but there are two places in the USA that have to be seen for their natural beauty.

New England in the Fall.
The colours and the smells are without a doubt something out of this world. The combination of colour and sun light looks like an artists plate. I took my third wife on our honeymoon. The memories lasted longer than my marriage.

Image

The other is the Grand Canyon.
This is not just a big hole in the ground, you go there thinking that you know what to expect, and then you arrive at the canyon edge, and it’s like WOOOH, it truly take one’s breath away. I did the river trip flew over it in a helicopter, took photos and it still nothing can prepare you for the real thing.

Image

Couple of nice pictures there.

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I can absolutely recommend at least one major vacation to the USA. For most Europeans even if they have never set foot in the US will feel a kind of familiarity because of TV/Movies.
IMO New York is a must see, and New Orleans although after Katrina it’s not quite the same.

Flights are reasonable, and except for NYC hotel rooms are not to expensive. If you are planning a road trip book your auto in the USA it’s cheaper.

The other thing I cannot stress enough is I lived in the US for 18 months (81-83) in White Plains NY, and since that time have visited 10 times on vacation. I have always been struck by just how friendly and helpful Americans are, I can with an clear concience say I have never had a bad experince in all the times I’ve been in the USA.

Plus think of all those Craft Beers you could sample.

I've visited Wisconsin, Chicago, Atlanta, and Orlando.
I'd like to go to New York at some point, and visit the Grand Canyon.

 

[rick snagwell]

im here in san diego, yes we have awesome weather. but our traffic and inflated prices suck. over $70 if you want to go to any attraction in the county, atleast beaches are free, for now.

1. jfk
2. sfo
3. msy
4. las


airport codes!

 

[63dot]

Much of the travel press has given high marks to Salinas, CA near me for a long time. In a best cities in USA poll, it was the only entry for the state of California. Outside of a small area of the city that has gang activity, it's probably the most historical and prettiest of the towns not named San Francisco or San Diego in this state. Steinbeck immortalized it and for the most part it lives up to the literary hype.

Much of the sensationalistic local press that has nothing to write about has soured the town on me with all the gang related shooting stories. Even if a shooting is 60 miles away but can somehow be related to a Salinas gang, then it becomes another act of a Salinas gang-related shooting. It just doesn't make news if there's a Salinas gangbanger in an incident in Santa Cruz, Chular, or Gonzalez so it all gets tagged into the "growing" Salinas gang problem. So much of the CSI popularity on TV almost demands the locals hear a weekly story about an investigation into a shooting. Then it all becomes a very racist rant against (Hispanic) gangs and the terror they bring to Northern California. The press really sickens me and some of the local newspaper owners make Fox News or TMZ appear to look like honorable journalism at its best.

The Steinbeck Museum (National Steinbeck Center) is a great place to visit, the California Rodeo, Salinas Airshow, old town Main Street. The Penny Farthing Tavern (now closed) was where I went to get an authentic English pub and it reminded me of my days in London. If you want a hearty Paula Deen type of breakfast that will fill you until dinner, go to the First Awakenings on Main Street. Just outside of town is a great wild animal sanctuary called Wild Things on River Road. The bear most often used in grizzly movies (only one who could do the unnatural act of growling and swiping its paw) is housed there as well as one of the MGM Lions. There are also white tigers, alligators, and pumas as well as a poisonous Gila Monster. The Gila was the only thing I wanted to see but for obvious reasons it's not available for public viewing but there's still plenty of animals to see. It was started by a local cop who kept on finding illegal wild animals in people's homes (yeah, admittedly we are country folk here) but then decided he should start a place where they could all be legally and safely kept so thus "Wild Things".

The local Presbyterian church there had two of its choir make top 12 on American Idol and it sent this small town's parishonership from 400 to 4,000 members. It doesn't matter that this is an overwhelmingly Catholic town, we are still incredibly proud of our American Idol connection. If you come to San Francisco and do the SF to LA drive, it's not a bad idea to stop in Salinas and catch some of the sights.

 

[palmerc2]

Hey folks, I'm going to Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks, and if anyone has any recommendations of things to see I'll take any and all input. Here's the kicker though, I'll literally only have 6 hours to see as much as I can. I know it's not nearly enough time, not even enough to scratch the surface, that's why I came here seeking advice of the quintessential sites. If it makes any difference, I will have a car. It's by chance I'm going, will definitely go again in the future

Also as a side note, going to Montreal in a few weeks! I'll be going for 5 days, any recommendations there too would be appreciated. Going to start crossing the cities off my "to see" list

 

[lunaoso]

Definitely have to go to Boston. It just has a feel to it that a lot of other cities don't have. It's hard to explain without being there.

 

[63dot]

Definitely have to go to Boston. It just has a feel to it that a lot of other cities don't have. It's hard to explain without being there.

I have always wanted to go there. I hear a lot from ex-pats of that city or NYC and there's always this strong love-hate thing about it. I never hear anything mediocre about those destinations. My best friend who moved out to California always said what it and NYC had that the west coast lacked but also mentioned the crime, harsh weather, and unique hardships of the region you just don't come into contact with in SF or LA.

I said we have crime here, mentioning some less than stellar days in the SOMA and Mission districts in SF, or in Hollywood in LA, but the big city east coast people I meet seem to think that this west coast crime is not real crime per se. So that scares me.

 

[BenTrovato]

Favorite North American cities:

1. Vancouver
2. Montreal
3. Toronto
4. San Francisco
5. San Diego
6. Portland
7. Halifax
8. Boston, NYC, I think there's about 10 cities tied for 8th.

 

[Joewilliamsca]

Favorite North American cities:



1. Vancouver

2. Montreal

3. Toronto

4. San Francisco

5. San Diego

6. Portland

7. Halifax

8. Boston, NYC, I think there's about 10 cities tied for 8th.

Vancouver is awesome

 

[AppleDApp]

Charlevoix/Quebec city is a great place to ski. They also have a great gastronomy scene.

Ski into the St-Lawrence River

Watch Crashed Ice in Vieux Quebec

 

[palmerc2]

Favorite North American cities:

1. Vancouver
2. Montreal
3. Toronto
4. San Francisco
5. San Diego
6. Portland
7. Halifax
8. Boston, NYC, I think there's about 10 cities tied for 8th.

I'm going to Montreal in a couple of weeks! Any recommendations of things to see, or places to go? Besides going to downtown and over consuming alcohol of course (which I will absolutely be partaking in)

 

[AppleDApp]

I'm going to Montreal in a couple of weeks! Any recommendations of things to see, or places to go? Besides going to downtown and over consuming alcohol of course (which I will absolutely be partaking in)

Have a smoke meat sandwich at Schwartz's.

Have you gone to Montreal before?

 

[BenTrovato]

I'm going to Montreal in a couple of weeks! Any recommendations of things to see, or places to go? Besides going to downtown and over consuming alcohol of course (which I will absolutely be partaking in)

The quote above suggesting Schwartz's is good! I always like spending time in Old Montreal. It's as close to Europe as we can get without crossing the Atlantic. Hopefully some Montrealers can chime in, I always have an excellent tour guide when I'm there

 

[palmerc2]

Have a smoke meat sandwich at Schwartz's.

Have you gone to Montreal before?

Cool I'll check it out!

Nope it will be my first time, just decided to check it out...I've heard great things about it from a lot of people.

 

[snberk103]

Hey folks, I'm going to Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks, and if anyone has any recommendations of things to see I'll take any and all input. Here's the kicker though, I'll literally only have 6 hours to see as much as I can. I know it's not nearly enough time, not even enough to scratch the surface, that's why I came here seeking advice of the quintessential sites. If it makes any difference, I will have a car. It's by chance I'm going, will definitely go again in the future

Also as a side note, going to Montreal in a few weeks! I'll be going for 5 days, any recommendations there too would be appreciated. Going to start crossing the cities off my "to see" list

In Washington - The Lincoln Memorial. I know you only have 6 hours, but take the time to read the speeches - and to contemplate. It's a deceptively powerful place. Deceptive because at first glance it doesn't look much is there... But the words are there.

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In Montreal, make sure you get into the underground city. From Wikipedia "Montreal's Underground City (officially RÉSO or La Ville Souterraine in French) is the set of interconnected complexes (both above and below ground) in and around Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is also known as the indoor city (ville intérieure) and is one of the largest underground complexes in the world." Shops, restaurants, a whole city inside. When it's nasty out (like in a few weeks!) you'll enjoy not having to go outside all the time.

===

Different cities for different seasons and different reasons. Toronto in May for Contact - the largest Photo Festival around. It's on for the whole month of May. Also in Toronto, Caplansky's Deli... currently the hottest deli around. Vancouver for the food - Asian especially, with lots of fusion as well. Don't go in November... unless you like the wind and rain. At certain times of the year you can rent a small boat in downtown Vancouver and go fish for big Salmon off the mouths of the North Shore rivers. Skiing in the winter and golf year-round. Kayaking. Biking. Hiking. Whale tours. And food. Hundred mile diet was written by a couple of Vancouverites.

===

If you truly want a European Experience without crossing the pond, Quebec City. The only walled city in North America. Small. Very French. Go in the winter for the winter carnival - Jan 30 to Feb 15 this year. Quebec is very relaxed about drinking compared to the rest of Canada. Dress warm... it'll be cold.

Have fun! Safe travels.

 

[AppleDApp]

Cool I'll check it out!

Nope it will be my first time, just decided to check it out...I've heard great things about it from a lot of people.

Other things to visit.
Old Port of Montreal
Go up Mount-Royal
Biodome
Botanical Gardens
The insectorium
The Olympic Stadium
Centre Bell if you want to go see a concert

Use the metro to get around if you're staying in the downtown area.

In Montreal, make sure you get into the underground city. From Wikipedia "Montreal's Underground City (officially RÉSO or La Ville Souterraine in French) is the set of interconnected complexes (both above and below ground) in and around Downtown Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is also known as the indoor city (ville intérieure) and is one of the largest underground complexes in the world." Shops, restaurants, a whole city inside. When it's nasty out (like in a few weeks!) you'll enjoy not having to go outside all the time.

Have fun! Safe travels.

Are you referring to the Metro?

 

[bradl]

I've been to many places on the Oregon Coast.....Astoria, Seaside, Tillamook, Lincoln City, and Newport. You're not gonna believe it, but it was overcast and rainy


A friend of mine who lives in Las Vegas takes trips to Zion National Park sometimes and speaks very highly of it. I also have a family member who lives in St George, UT....perhaps one of these days I'll make it. There's no denying the sheer beauty.....

Image

Image

I have to +1 for that part of Utah; absolutely gorgeous.. and I actually moved to Sacramento from Las Vegas, so to be honest, everything on Las Vegas Blvd. is rather boring to me.. Like most locals, we only go down there just to eat (have to love those locals discounts! ).

Anyway, if Las Vegas, It's best to look at the things you can do outside of it, like the drive through Redrock Canyon, being an hour's drive from Route 66, traveling through Oatman, AZ, but looking up north of the town, the Zion picture above looks almost like Virgin River, which goes between Mesquite, NV, and St. George, UT. That part of the area is great.

Similarly, I'd also have to suggest Santa Fe, New Mexico. Somehow, someway, that place is just very very relaxing. It isn't a big town, so you don't get the hustle and bustle from the likes of Albuquerque, but isn't rural, either. It's somewhere where you can take solace and enjoy the silence.

After that, for me, Vancouver, BC. That place, like Portland and the outskirts of it, is just GREEN. I thought I had seen enough shades of green living in the farmland of the midwest; I was wrong. Port Coquitlam, Howe Sound, looking up towards Grouse Mountain.. It's hard to say that I've seen a more beautiful place.. perhaps if I get the chance, Kelowna?

BL.

 

[woodywoodz]

New Orleans I love the food there

 

[palmerc2]

I have to +1 for that part of Utah; absolutely gorgeous.. and I actually moved to Sacramento from Las Vegas, so to be honest, everything on Las Vegas Blvd. is rather boring to me.. Like most locals, we only go down there just to eat (have to love those locals discounts! ).

Anyway, if Las Vegas, It's best to look at the things you can do outside of it, like the drive through Redrock Canyon, being an hour's drive from Route 66, traveling through Oatman, AZ, but looking up north of the town, the Zion picture above looks almost like Virgin River, which goes between Mesquite, NV, and St. George, UT. That part of the area is great.

Similarly, I'd also have to suggest Santa Fe, New Mexico. Somehow, someway, that place is just very very relaxing. It isn't a big town, so you don't get the hustle and bustle from the likes of Albuquerque, but isn't rural, either. It's somewhere where you can take solace and enjoy the silence.

After that, for me, Vancouver, BC. That place, like Portland and the outskirts of it, is just GREEN. I thought I had seen enough shades of green living in the farmland of the midwest; I was wrong. Port Coquitlam, Howe Sound, looking up towards Grouse Mountain.. It's hard to say that I've seen a more beautiful place.. perhaps if I get the chance, Kelowna?

BL.

I'm a frequenter of Vegas....at one pint I was going every couple of months, now it's a couple times per year. Still really fun to go every once in a while though.

I can definitely recommend Kelowna, it's absolutely beautiful there. Go during the summer, days are spent at the lake boating, and swimming. The entire Okanagan Valley is stunning. Word of advice: wear sunblock!! The sun is very intense there, I found out the hard way. I grew up in Arizona, and when I was there my local family told me to wear sunblock. Being a naive teenager I said "pleaseeee, I'm from Arizona, ya know 'valley of the sun?' I think I'll be fine without it in Canada" - boy was I dead wrong. Within a couple of hours I got the worst sunburn in my entire life. Wow, did it hurt like hell!

 

[bradl]

I'm a frequenter of Vegas....at one pint I was going every couple of months, now it's a couple times per year. Still really fun to go every once in a while though.

It is, but sometime syou have to get under the glitz and glamour of the Strip to get to some of the good stuff.. The rusty gold. the Neon Museum downtown for example, to see all of the classic signs that were on the strip during its heyday, or even just sitting at the parking area on Sunset Road next to runway 25L at the airport, and watch planes take off and land. They pipe ATC from the tower over FM radio there, so you can hear all communications between Tower and pilot.

Good stuff like that.

I can definitely recommend Kelowna, it's absolutely beautiful there. Go during the summer, days are spent at the lake boating, and swimming. The entire Okanagan Valley is stunning. Word of advice: wear sunblock!! The sun is very intense there, I found out the hard way. I grew up in Arizona, and when I was there my local family told me to wear sunblock. Being a naive teenager I said "pleaseeee, I'm from Arizona, ya know 'valley of the sun?' I think I'll be fine without it in Canada" - boy was I dead wrong. Within a couple of hours I got the worst sunburn in my entire life. Wow, did it hurt like hell!

I'll definitely remember that. I know there are two lakes just north of the airport there and the big one in the valley that pictures of it that I saw were stunning. Side note: is still freaked me the hell out in Vancouver to see Chevron and Shell gas stations in the harbours there! You just don't see that in landlocked Nebraska!

im here in san diego, yes we have awesome weather. but our traffic and inflated prices suck. over $70 if you want to go to any attraction in the county, atleast beaches are free, for now.

1. Kjfk
2. Ksfo
3. Kmsy
4. Klas

airport codes!

FTFY. ICAO airport codes FTW!

BL.

 

[CEmajr]

San Diego

Year round perfect weather
Beaches
Mountains
California

All right there.

 

[AustinIllini]

New Home:

Old Home:

and Dallas (reminds me of old home):

 

[Danley]

San Diego.

Anywhere north of Ventura and south of San Francisco (Central Coast CA cities are perfect )

Norfolk VA is kind of cool, because it's a lot like a city that they just built and left alone, or otherwise no one ever seems to be there, especially outside of broad daylight (unless the Navy rolls in.) It's always clean and never crowded. Spooky in a way.

I'd say I liked Seattle, but I didn't ever technically see it, given all of the fog and rain and trees blocking the view.